How to Fertilize a Daffodil

Daffodils emerge early each spring, adding a splash of color to otherwise drab winter gardens. The flowers last only a few weeks and then quickly fade, exhausted by the effort of blooming. Although most daffodil plants bloom well year after year with minimal care, those planted in areas with poor soil benefit greatly from a dose of superphosphate fertilizer upon planting and yearly doses of quality, low-nitrogen fertilizer to improve their vigor and long-term health.

0-45-0 superphosphate fertilizer
Garden hose
6-24-24 formula fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Spread a scant layer of 0-45-0 superphosphate fertilizer over the bed in autumn immediately after the daffodil bulbs are planted. Spread 1 cup of fertilizer per square yard. Shower the bed with a garden hose after spreading the fertilizer, or wait to plant the bulbs until rain is in the forecast, and let the rainfall work the nutrients into the soil.
- 2
  Water the daffodil thoroughly as soon as the first few leaves emerge from the soil, which is usually around mid December. Run water from a garden hose around the plant for five to ten minutes to soften the soil to a depth of 3 inches. Water the daffodil the night before you feed it.
- 3
  Apply 6-24-24 formula fertilizer to the soil around the daffodil. Use 1/4 the recommended dosage when you apply the fertilizer, but follow the manufacturer's instructions closely to avoid burning the bulbs. Avoid spilling or splashing the fertilizer on the leaves.
- 4
  Irrigate the soil after you feed the daffodil. Run water around the daffodil plant on very low volume for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the water begins to pool on the surface of the soil. Water once more for 10 to 15 minutes the following day to distribute the fertilizer deep into the soil.

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